The Mysterious Book of Leviticus (and a Prize!)

Believe it or not, one of my favorite books to teach in the Old Testament happens to be Leviticus (and to the man who once said whatever book I was teaching just happened to be my favorite book that week – wrong – go read Zechariah). Back to Leviticus, the two big challenges readers face are: 1) 3,000 years and a non-Western world of thought and practice, and 2) not catching the problem created at the end of the book of Exodus. Now I will grant that culture +3,000 years creates a hurdle, but the second issue is the real key to understanding the book.

So what’s happening in Exodus that is so important? Nothing really, other than God making the decision that he would move in and live with the Israelites (as in, back to the Garden of Eden). And this wouldn’t be such a big problem if not for the rebellion that took place in Exodus 32-33. Remember, according to Aaron, he tossed all this gold into the fire and poof! Out came a golden calf (Exod 32:24). As a result, God was ready to kill’em all and start over with Moses, at least until Moses does his thing and talks God out of it – the text does say, “God changed his mind” (32:7-14). But the problem is not over. Next God tells Moses and the people that he will not go with them to the Promised Land. They can still go, but not with their God – because if he goes he will end up killing all of them: “if for a single moment I should go up among you, I consume you” (Exod 33:5). Of course Moses goes back into full argue with God mode, even insisting, “If your presence will not go, do not carry us up from here” (Exod 33:15). In other words, If you won’t go with us, we are not going anywhere. We will stay right here at Sinai. (Slam right foot down and look up.) The only little problem is that Moses got so busy making his case for why God should still go, he missed God saying, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest” (Exod 33:14). In other words, Okay, yes. I’ll go with you. (Sigh loudly and shake head.)

With this agreement back in place the people can go to making the tabernacle – a tent with a fenced-in compound – according to the rather ambiguous plans (no two pictures of the tabernacle ever look alike). By the end of Exodus they finish the work, set it all up, and God backs up the Uhaul and moves in with style: a cloud of smoke covers the tent and God’s glory fills the Tabernacle (Exod 40:34).

Now it would really easy for me to spill the beans and fill in the details about Leviticus. But anyone who knows me, is well aware that I am far more challenging (okay, maybe “difficult.” But students who have written “sadistic” on Class Evaluations have hit me way below the belt). So here’s my first challenge with a prize. What's the big problem at the end of Exodus to which the book of Leviticus will respond? The first comment with the correct answer will win, yes – here it comes: a commentary on the book of Zechariah (by Boda in the NICOT)! I accidentally bought this book twice because… well, just because it was so good the first time. I’ll even pay the postage (unless foreign, sorry). Registration of a subscription is not required, but would warm my heart. Good luck!